' Bluebirds stars bring some festive cheer '
Thu Dec 17, 2015 9:21 am
Cardiff City players visit young cancer patients to hand out Christmas gifts
17th Dec 2015
BY HARRY YORKE
First team players Craig Noone, David Marshall and Aron Gunnarsson came in support of children's charity Dreams and Wishes
Bluebirds stars made it their goal to bring some festive cheer to young hospital patients yesterday.
Cardiff City players Craig Noone, David Marshall and Aron Gunnarsson met with youngsters at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales in support of the Dreams and Wishes charity.
For the families and children staying on the young children’s and teenage cancer wards this month, Christmas is proving a challenging time.
Noone, who is the charity’s ambassador for the club, said it was important to support a cause that aims to help young people fighting cancer.
'Put a real smile on his face'
“Today we’re here to lend a hand to the charity and hopefully cheer up a lot of the kids having a tough time over Christmas,” he said.
“I’m giving a Playstation 4 away as a gift to a young lad suffering from leukemia today, so I think that will put a real smile on his face. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Rob BrowneDavid Marshall and Craig Noone sign a photo for Tansy Stephens-Kedziaola as mum Zoe watches
On their visit Noone, Marshall and Gunnarsson spent time talking with six-year-old Benjamin O’ Doherty, who is currently receiving treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
“It’s absolutely fantastic that they’ve taken their time to come down to see the kids today,” said Benjamin’s mum, Claire, from Aberdare.
“Ben’s a big football fan, and apart from Cardiff he loves Real Madrid and Barcelona. When I told him who was coming down he couldn’t believe it.
'Exceptional work'
“He’s in for chemotherapy today so he’s a bit down, so something like this really helps put a smile back on his face.”
Tansy Stephens-Cedziloa, 12, was happy to have a long talk with goalkeeper David Marshall, who presented her with a signed photo of the team and a bundle of Christmas sweets.
Rob BrowneAron Gunnarsson with patient Calum Dimmick in the Teenage cancer trust unit
Mum Zoe said: “It was great for the charity to put this on today, although Tansy’s older brother will be very jealous - he’s a massive Cardiff fan.
“The work the charity do is exceptional, Tansy and I have been on several trips with Dreams and Wishes, and last year we got the chance to go to Parliament and meet Mr Speaker, John Bercow.”
'It's been great'
Dreams and Wishes is a volunteer-ran organisation, which focuses solely on granting wishes to children suffering from long-term illnesses. So far this year, more than 200 such wishes have been granted. The charity’s founder Tony Curtis said the day had been a real success.
“When children are very sick it’s great to be able to give them a trip away to Paris, a new iPad, or even a visit from one of their idols and role models.
Rob BrowneIuestyn Bassett who received a Playstation as his Christmas wish
“It’s been great to have the players come along today, and you can see the smile they’ve brought to many faces on the wards.“We hope that with people’s continued support we’ll be able to provide many more days like today, and help to make tough times for the kids that bit easier.”
17th Dec 2015
BY HARRY YORKE
First team players Craig Noone, David Marshall and Aron Gunnarsson came in support of children's charity Dreams and Wishes
Bluebirds stars made it their goal to bring some festive cheer to young hospital patients yesterday.
Cardiff City players Craig Noone, David Marshall and Aron Gunnarsson met with youngsters at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales in support of the Dreams and Wishes charity.
For the families and children staying on the young children’s and teenage cancer wards this month, Christmas is proving a challenging time.
Noone, who is the charity’s ambassador for the club, said it was important to support a cause that aims to help young people fighting cancer.
'Put a real smile on his face'
“Today we’re here to lend a hand to the charity and hopefully cheer up a lot of the kids having a tough time over Christmas,” he said.
“I’m giving a Playstation 4 away as a gift to a young lad suffering from leukemia today, so I think that will put a real smile on his face. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Rob BrowneDavid Marshall and Craig Noone sign a photo for Tansy Stephens-Kedziaola as mum Zoe watches
On their visit Noone, Marshall and Gunnarsson spent time talking with six-year-old Benjamin O’ Doherty, who is currently receiving treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
“It’s absolutely fantastic that they’ve taken their time to come down to see the kids today,” said Benjamin’s mum, Claire, from Aberdare.
“Ben’s a big football fan, and apart from Cardiff he loves Real Madrid and Barcelona. When I told him who was coming down he couldn’t believe it.
'Exceptional work'
“He’s in for chemotherapy today so he’s a bit down, so something like this really helps put a smile back on his face.”
Tansy Stephens-Cedziloa, 12, was happy to have a long talk with goalkeeper David Marshall, who presented her with a signed photo of the team and a bundle of Christmas sweets.
Rob BrowneAron Gunnarsson with patient Calum Dimmick in the Teenage cancer trust unit
Mum Zoe said: “It was great for the charity to put this on today, although Tansy’s older brother will be very jealous - he’s a massive Cardiff fan.
“The work the charity do is exceptional, Tansy and I have been on several trips with Dreams and Wishes, and last year we got the chance to go to Parliament and meet Mr Speaker, John Bercow.”
'It's been great'
Dreams and Wishes is a volunteer-ran organisation, which focuses solely on granting wishes to children suffering from long-term illnesses. So far this year, more than 200 such wishes have been granted. The charity’s founder Tony Curtis said the day had been a real success.
“When children are very sick it’s great to be able to give them a trip away to Paris, a new iPad, or even a visit from one of their idols and role models.
Rob BrowneIuestyn Bassett who received a Playstation as his Christmas wish
“It’s been great to have the players come along today, and you can see the smile they’ve brought to many faces on the wards.“We hope that with people’s continued support we’ll be able to provide many more days like today, and help to make tough times for the kids that bit easier.”
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Re: ' Bluebirds stars bring some festive cheer '
Thu Dec 17, 2015 9:51 am
Love seeing things like this, really drives home the message that life is short, and for these courageous kids meeting their heroes they will never forget that moment.
Well done to all involved.
Well done to all involved.
Re: ' Bluebirds stars bring some festive cheer '
Thu Dec 17, 2015 9:52 am
Excellent article, poor wee kids .
Re: ' Bluebirds stars bring some festive cheer '
Thu Dec 17, 2015 2:14 pm
Re: ' Bluebirds stars bring some festive cheer '
Thu Dec 17, 2015 3:15 pm
Well done to all involved
Re: ' Bluebirds stars bring some festive cheer '
Thu Dec 17, 2015 4:28 pm
We have no right to moan about f**k all.
Re: ' Bluebirds stars bring some festive cheer '
Thu Dec 17, 2015 6:02 pm
Awesome too see fair play.
Re: ' Bluebirds stars bring some festive cheer '
Thu Dec 17, 2015 7:28 pm
Fair play for them doing it every year. 
Re: ' Bluebirds stars bring some festive cheer '
Thu Dec 17, 2015 8:17 pm
I love it when people put their 'celebrity' to excellent use just like this - what a boost for those amazing kids as they go through a particularly tough time.
